Two species of barnacles, stellate and rock barnacles, occupy the rocky intertidal zone of the Scottish coast and illustrate factors that can determine species distribution in a community.Larvae of both species settle throughout the intertidal zone, but adult barnacles occupy specific zones.The smaller stellate barnacle lives only in higher zones, where the environment dries out between high tides.The larger, faster-reproducing rock barnacle lives only at lower zones.If rock barnacles were entirely removed from this community, what would most likely happen to the population of stellate barnacles?
A) They would go extinct.
B) They would leave the community.
C) There would be little or no change in their population.
D) They would expand their range to include both the low and high areas.
E) They would remain at high levels, and their population would increase.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If rock barnacles were removed, stellate barnacles would not have to compete for resources and space in the high zone, and would most likely expand their range to include both the high and low areas.

Two Species of Barnacles, Stellate and Rock Barnacles, Occupy the Rocky